In September 1960, representatives from the nations of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and Venezuela joined together at the Baghdad Conference to form OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. The immediate goal was to prevent lowered oil prices on the global market. Over the succeeding years, the international trade group has gone on to promote its members’ economic and political interests during times of peace and world crisis alike.

A year after its establishment, OPEC welcomed Qatar to its ranks. Subsequent years saw the additions of several African countries (including Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, Gabon, and Angola) as well as the United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, and Indonesia. Gabon and Indonesia have since left the organization. Ecuador suspended its membership in 1992 and did not rejoin for another 15 years.

In 1965, the group transferred its headquarters from Geneva, Switzerland, to its present-day base in Vienna, Austria.

In 1973, the Arab nations of OPEC imposed an oil embargo on the United States and some other Western countries because of their support of Israel in the Yom Kippur War that year. The embargo, which ended in 1974, led to a burgeoning energy crisis in the West.

Today, OPEC members have begun to focus on increasing their degree of collaboration to craft environmentally sound policies that also support developments within the oil industry.

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Sentry Energy Production

As the U.S. government and its residents attempt to become less dependent on foreign oil and gas, oil and natural gas exploration and development firm Sentry Energy Production LLC seeks out reserves in the most efficient manner.